A 1939 sAtiricAl review At tel Aviv’s hA-mAtAteh: A DemonstrAtion of well-being

This article explores the mechanisms by which Ha-Matateh, a satirical theater company, created a sense of well-being among its audiences during a time of crisis in prestate Israel. The article focuses on a revue by Ha-Matateh, Ḥayim and Saadiah Are Going to the City, which premiered in May 1939. This production referenced the stressful reality of the time: extreme antisemitism sweeping across Europe, diplomats feverishly trying to prevent another war, and a new White Paper issued by the British government jeopardizing the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine. This article shows how this stage presentation transformed the fears and anxieties that dominated the real world into humorous expressions of pleasure, social engagement, success, and a sense of security.